Lug wrench merchandizing display rack

ABSTRACT

A merchandising rack for displaying a plurality of four-way lug wrenches is described, comprising, a plurality of ribs connected to each other; a plurality of upward support elements, for restraining a four-way lug wrench from moving downwardly and laterally; and a plurality of downward support elements, for restraining a first arm of the wrench from moving upwardly, laterally, and from moving away from the rack; and a plurality of stubs positioned to restrain the wrench from rotating about an axis extending along the first arm of the wrench.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a merchandising rack for displaying tools for the automobile industry. Specifically, the invention relates to a rack for displaying a plurality of four-way lug wrenches at a point of sale.

Merchandizing racks for displaying a wide variety of tools and equipment in the automobile industry are known. The objective of such display racks is to present a plurality of a certain kind of tool at a point of sale for potential customers to pick up, inspect, and replace back in the rack after inspection. Each tool presents its own problems for display, whether it be caused by difficulties in efficiently stacking, suspending, aligning, or otherwise presenting the kind of tool for display, and inspection by a potential customer.

In particular, lug wrenches have presented an awkward problem for point of sale merchandising display, because lug wrenches are fairly large and heavy, they have a shape that occupies a large area, and they do not present a stackable shape in that they have cylindrical components that may cause the wrench to roll, rotate, or slide if supported on those cylindrical components. Thus, a stack of wrenches will tend to collapse under the action of gravity.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art of tool merchandising for a display rack that can hold a plurality of four-way lug wrenches, that is easy to use, that is inexpensive to manufacture, that is easy to install and maintain, and that yet allows potential customers to select, inspect, and replace a lug wrench without dislodging a pile of lug wrenches that collapses to the floor. The present invention addresses these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is described a merchandising display rack that is light weight, robust, and rigid. It provides a novel and advantageous way of displaying an unwieldy product in the form of a four-way lug wrench, and is yet simple to use and inexpensive to make.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the merchandising rack comprising a plurality of ribs connected to each other by at least one connecting rod, each rib lying in a single plane. A plurality of upward support elements is provided, each upward support element positioned between two ribs. Each upward support element is configured to both restrain a four-way lug wrench from moving downwardly and to restrain the wrench from moving laterally. A plurality of downward support elements is provided, each downward support element positioned between two ribs. Each downward support element is configured to restrain a first arm of the wrench from moving upwardly, and thereby being capable of preventing the wrench from pivoting without restraint about a corresponding upward support element; to restrain the wrench from moving laterally; and to restrain the wrench from moving away from the rack. A plurality of stubs is provided, each stub being connected to a rib and being positioned to restrain the wrench from rotating about an axis extending along the first arm of the wrench.

In a further preferred aspect of the invention, the ribs are formed from a metal wire, and are shaped to include a generally triangular shape. Preferably, each of the plurality of stubs is an extension of the metal wire forming a rib, and each of the plurality of stubs extends horizontally. In yet another aspect of the invention, the plurality of upward support members preferably comprise a single plate with a plurality of U-shaped slots cut into the plate, the plate being connected to the rack to extend from one end of the rack to the other. Furthermore, the plurality of downward support members may comprise a single plate with a plurality of inverted U-shaped slots cut into the plate, the plate being connected to the rack to extend from one end of the rack to the other. Desirably, the ribs are spaced between 2 inches and 3 inches apart to facilitate the ease with which a user may grasp a wrench displayed in the rack.

In another aspect, the invention includes a method of displaying a plurality of four-way lug wrenches at a point of sale. The method comprises, in the case of each one of the plurality of wrenches, supporting the wrench with an upward force applied at a first point on a first arm of the wrench, and also restraining the wrench from moving laterally by providing a first set of two lateral restraints at the first point. Further, the method includes holding the wrench in equilibrium with a downward force applied at a second point on the first arm of the wrench, and further restraining the wrench from moving laterally by providing a second set of two lateral restraints at the second point. Additionally, the method includes restraining the wrench from moving in a direction from the second point toward the first point by positioning a bulbous end of the first arm adjacent the second set of two lateral restraints. The method further includes restraining the wrench from rotating about an axis extending along the first arm of the wrench and also restraining the wrench from moving in a direction from the second point toward the first point by positioning a rod adjacent a second arm of the wrench that is perpendicular to the first arm. Finally, the method permits a user to remove the wrench by rotating the wrench away from the first point, and away from the second point. Following this method allows a plurality of wrenches to be displayed at a point of sale, while conveniently allowing a customer to remove the wrench, and subsequently to replace it after inspection.

These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description thereof and the accompanying exemplary drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a merchandising rack showing features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the merchandising rack of FIG. 1, showing a plurality of four-way lug wrenches in the rack displayed for sale.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the rack of FIG. 1, with a single four-way lug wrench displayed in the rack.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the rack of FIG. 1, with a single four-way lug wrench displayed in the rack.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the rack of FIG. 1, with a single four-way lug wrench displayed in the rack.

FIGS. 6 a-6 c show schematic side elevational views, showing a user inserting a four-way wrench into the rack of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the Figures, which are provided for exemplification and not limitation, there is described a merchandizing rack, generally described by the numeral 20, for displaying a plurality of four-way lug wrenches, identified by the numeral 100, at a point of sale.

As exemplified in FIGS. 1-5, the merchandizing rack of the present invention includes a plurality of ribs 22 that are preferably identical to each other. The ribs are preferably made from a lightweight metal wire, and preferably each rib is bent around upon itself to described a generally triangular shape with three straight portions 24, 26, 28 that enclose a space, with one end point of the wire contacting the wire near the other end point. Preferably, each rib lies within a single plane. With reference to the Figures, it is seen that the shape of each triangular wire rib 22 includes a first straight portion 24 that forms a base that is horizontally oriented when the rack is in use. As used herein, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upwards” and “downwards” are made with reference to the orientation of the rack when it is in use, as is shown in the Figures. At the apex of the triangle, the other two straight portions 26, 28 form an angle A that is preferably between 80 and 100 degrees (best seen FIG. 4), for providing stiffness to the overall structure. Moreover, at the apex of the triangular rib 22, one end of the straight portions extends onward beyond the apex, and then bends back to form a relatively short cantilevered stub 30, extending generally horizontally. The function of the stub 30 will be described below herein.

Each of the plurality of triangular shaped ribs 22 is connected to an adjacent rib by means of at least one connecting rod 32 to form an array of ribs, preferably evenly spaced apart and parallel to each other. Desirably, more than one connecting rod 32 may be used, to provide rigidity against bending to the rack. Connection of the ribs to the rods 32 is preferably achieved by a spot weld, although a clip or adhesive may also be used. Moreover, a footplate 34 may also be provided to extend between the ribs 22, and may be connected at more than one point on each of the end ribs, to provide enhanced tortional rigidity to the rack 20 as a whole. The footplate 34 also may be positioned to assist with supporting lug wrenches on display, as explained in more detail below.

An important feature of the rack 20 of the present invention is the presence of two rack support members, namely, an upward support member 36 and a downward support member 38. The upward support member is desirably positioned above the downward support member in order to enhance the stability of support provided. The function of the upward support member 36 is (a) to support the weight of each of a plurality of four-way lug wrenches 100 and, thus, to provide a pivot point about which each wrench may pivot—by providing an upward facing support surface; and (b) to restrain each wrench from moving laterally, in the direction of the connecting rods 32. The function of the downward support member 38 is (a) to restrain a portion of each wrench against upward movement by providing a downward facing surface, thereby preventing the wrench from pivoting without restraint about the referenced pivot point, and (b) to prevent each wrench from sliding away from the rack, or forward. As used herein, “backward” and “forward” are defined with reference to FIG. 4, wherein backward is toward the rack, and forward is away from the rack. Furthermore, the terms “clockwise” and “anticlockwise” are also to be understood with reference to FIG. 4. The term “laterally” is to be understood as being in the direction of a tie rod, or which is the same thing, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of a wrench that is resting in the rack.

To provide these various described functions, in a preferred embodiment, the upward support member 36 may comprise a flat plate with a series of U-shaped slots 40 cut into the plate. This plate may be attached to the rack to extend from one end of the rack to the other end, so that each slot 40 is positioned between two ribs 22 and opens upwards to allow a first arm 102 of a four-way lug wrench 100 to be inserted into the U-shaped slot 40 downwardly from above (see FIGS. 6 a-b). The base 41 of the U-shaped slot provides an upward facing surface or pivot point about which a wrench may pivot. The vertical sides 45, 47 (seen in FIGS. 3 and 5) of the U-shaped slot provide the lateral, or horizontal, restraint against movement perpendicular to the axis of the first arm 102.

Similarly, the downward support member 38 may comprise a flat plate with a series of inverted U-shaped slots 42 cut into the plate. The plate may be connected to the rack to extend from one end of the rack to the other end as seen in the Figures. Each inverted U-shaped slot 42 is positioned between two ribs 22 and opens downwards. This configuration allows the end portion of the first arm 102 of a four way lug wrench 100 to be inserted into the inverted U-shaped slot 42 upwardly from below. The high point 43 of the inverted U-shaped slot provides a downward facing surface for preventing a wrench from pivoting unrestrained about the pivot point 41. The vertical sides 49, 51 of the inverted U-shape are spaced sufficiently far apart to admit a first arm 102 of the wrench to fit between them, but are sufficiently close together to prevent a bulbous head 110 at the end of the arm 102 from passing between them. Accordingly, the vertical sides 49, 51 capture the bulbous head 110 and prevent the wrench from sliding forward, away from the rack, after a certain amount of travel.

In use and in operation of the rack 20 of the present invention, a user may fill the rack with wrenches 100 in the following manner, as understood in conjunction with FIGS. 6 a-6 c. The user places a first four-way lug wrench into the rack as follows. He inserts the bulbous head 110 of a first arm 102 (that is, one of four arms, 102, 104, 106, 108 as best seen in FIG. 4) of a wrench 100 downwardly in the space defined by two ribs 22 and by the upward support member 36 and the downward support member 38 (FIGS. 6 a and 6 b). He then rotates the wrench clockwise (as in FIG. 6 c), about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the wrench, so that the first arm 102 (at a point near the intersection of the four arms of the wrench) rests on the low point 41 of a U-shaped slot 40, so that the center of mass of the wrench tends to pivot downwardly and clockwise (with reference to FIG. 4) about the low point 41. This tendency to pivot causes an end of the first arm 102 to pivot upwards, until it is arrested from further upward movement by the downward facing surface 43 of the corresponding inverted U-shaped slot 42 in the downward support member 38. Once the wrench is arrested from further movement by both the support members 36, 38, the user may push the wrench downwards toward the rack, until a lower arm 108 of the wrench comes in contact with either the footplate 34 (FIG. 2), or one of the connecting rods 32 (FIG. 4) and the wrench is at its furthest possible point of travel downwards and into the rack.

The rack may be filled with further wrenches 100 in a similar fashion. Importantly, in addition to being supported by the upward support member 36, the downward support member 38, and the footplate 34 (or the rod 32), as described above, the cantilevered stub 30 on each rib restrains a wrench 100 against being rotated about an axis that extends along the first arm 102. This restraint may be applied to an upwardly extending arm 104 of the wrench (FIG. 4), after it has rotated by a small amount. (Although it is desirable to restrain an upwardly extending arm 104, a downwardly extending arm 108 may equally be restrained by an appropriately positioned stub attached to a rib.) Thus, the presence of the cantilevered stub 30 prevents the uncontrolled rotation of a set of wrenches that may be caused by an accidental bump against one wrench. Without the cantilevered stub 30, there would be a tendency for one wrench to rotate and bump into the next wrench, causing them all to rotate in a chain reaction, or “cascade effect.” In the confines of a store, or other point of sale, this kind of effect may be highly inconvenient, and the presence of the cantilever stub 30 conveniently reduces such an effect. Thus, once the installed wrenches are in this position they are in equilibrium, and are secured against most movements that may be caused by accidental forces acting on them, such as being bumped by a customer.

Moreover, the configuration of the merchandizing rack described presents a potential customer with a well ordered array of four-way lug wrenches for inspection. Each lug wrench may be of a different size, so that the customer may view the wrenches separated from each other, but they may be arrayed close enough to each other to provide an easy comparison between the wrenches. Once the customer has identified a wrench for further investigation, he may grasp an extending third arm 106 of the wrench (FIG. 4), rotate the wrench slightly anticlockwise (as in FIG. 4) to disengage the bulbous head 110 on the first arm 102 from its trapped position behind one of the inverted U-shaped slots 42 in the downward support member 38, and finally pull the wrench upwardly to remove it from the rack. Replacement of the wrench in the rack may follow the steps set forth above.

Further advantageously, not only does the rack provide a structure into which it is easy to install wrenches and then to remove them, the open lattice structure of the rack 20 allows a customer to see for himself the correct way for removing and returning the wrench without disturbing the position of any of the other wrenches. To this end, the spacing of the wrenches on the rack (and hence the spacing of the ribs) is most desirably set to allow a man's hand to grasp one wrench without touching an adjacent wrench. Thus, desirably, the ribs are spaced at between 2 inches and 3 inches apart. The rack is light weight, rigid, robust, stable, inexpensive to manufacture, and provides an elegant solution to the problem of displaying unwieldy four-way lug wrenches in large numbers.

Thus, it will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without parting from the scope of the invention which is set forth in the claims. 

1. A merchandising rack for displaying a plurality of four-way lug wrenches, comprising: a plurality of ribs connected to each other by at least one connecting rod, each rib lying in a single plane; a plurality of upward support elements, each upward support element positioned between two ribs, wherein each upward support element is configured: to restrain a four-way lug wrench from moving downwardly; and to restrain the wrench from moving laterally; a plurality of downward support elements, each downward support element positioned between two ribs, wherein each downward support element is configured: to restrain a first arm of the wrench from moving upwardly, and thereby being capable of preventing the wrench from pivoting without restraint about a corresponding upward support element; to restrain the wrench from moving laterally; and to restrain the wrench from moving away from the rack; and a plurality of stubs, each stub being connected to the rack, and being positioned to restrain the wrench from rotating about an axis extending along the first arm of the wrench.
 2. The merchandising rack of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of stubs is connected to a rib.
 3. The merchandising rack of claim 1, wherein the ribs are formed from a metal wire, and are shaped to include a generally triangular shape.
 4. The merchandising rack of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of stubs is an extension of the metal wire forming a rib.
 5. The merchandising rack of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of stubs extends horizontally.
 6. The merchandising rack of claim 1, wherein the plurality of upward support members comprise a single plate with a plurality of U-shaped slots cut into the plate, the plate being connected to the rack to extend from one end of the rack to the other.
 7. The merchandising rack of claim 1, wherein the plurality of downward support members comprise a single plate with a plurality of inverted U-shaped slots cut into the plate, the plate being connected to the rack to extend from one end of the rack to the other.
 8. The merchandising rack of claim 1 further including a foot plate, configured to restrain a four-way lug wrench from moving toward the rack.
 9. The merchandising rack of claim 1, wherein each downward support element is positioned lower than the upward support element.
 10. The merchandising rack of claim 1, wherein the ribs are spaced between 2 inches and 3 inches apart.
 11. A method of displaying a plurality of four-way lug wrenches at a point of sale, each wrench lying in a single plane, the method comprising: in the case of each one of the plurality of wrenches: supporting the wrench with an upward force applied at a first point on a first arm of the wrench; restraining the wrench from moving laterally by providing a first set of two lateral restraints at the first point; holding the wrench in equilibrium with a downward force applied at a second point on the first arm of the wrench; further restraining the wrench from moving laterally by providing a second set of two lateral restraints at the second point; restraining the wrench from moving in a direction from the second point to ward the first point by positioning a bulbous end of the first arm adjacent the second set of two lateral restraints; restraining the wrench from rotating about an axis extending along the first arm of the wrench; restraining the wrench from moving in a direction from the second point toward the first point by positioning a rod adjacent a second arm of the wrench that is perpendicular to the first arm; and permitting a user to remove the wrench by rotating the wrench away from the first point, and away from the second point.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein restraining the wrench from rotating about the first arm includes positioning a stub adjacent a second arm of the wrench that is perpendicular to the first arm.
 13. A merchandising rack for displaying a plurality of four-way lug wrenches, comprising: at least two ribs connected to each other by at least one connecting rod; at least one upward support element positioned between and connected to the ribs, wherein the upward support element includes an upwardly facing surface for preventing a first arm of the wrench from moving downwards, a leftward facing element positioned on the right of the upward facing surface, and a rightward facing surface positioned on the left of the upward facing surface, wherein the distance between the leftward and rightward facing surfaces is large enough to allow the first arm to fit between them; at least one downward support element positioned between and connected to the ribs, wherein the downward support element includes a downward facing surface for restraining the first arm from moving upwards, a leftward facing element positioned on the right of the downward facing surface, and a rightward facing surface positioned on the left of the downward facing surface, wherein the distance between the leftward and rightward facing surfaces is large enough to allow a first arm of the wrench to fit between them, but small enough to prevent a bulbous end on the first arm from passing between them; a stub connected to the rack and being positioned to restrain from movement a second arm of the wrench that is perpendicular to the first arm, and thereby to prevent the wrench from rotating without restraint about an axis extending along the first arm.
 14. The merchandizing rack of claim 13, wherein the stub is connected to a rib.
 15. The merchandizing rack of claim 13, wherein the ribs are formed from a metal wire, and are shaped to include a generally triangular shape.
 16. The merchandizing rack of claim 15, wherein the stub is an extension of the metal wire forming a rib.
 17. The merchandizing rack of claim 13, wherein the stub extends horizontally.
 18. The merchandizing rack of claim 13, wherein the upward support member comprises a plate with a U-shaped slot cut into the plate.
 19. The merchandizing rack of claim 13, wherein the downward support member comprise a plate with an inverted U-shaped slot cut into the plate.
 20. The merchandizing rack of claim 13, further including a foot plate, configured to restrain a four-way lug wrench from moving into the rack.
 21. The merchandizing rack of claim 13, wherein each downward support element is positioned lower than the upward support elements. 